#9
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh-Cleveland rivalry was one of the
finest and most intense in the National Football League prior to the Browns move
to Baltimore after the 1995 season.
Interestingly, the two teams played against each other only once in the
playoffs in the storied rivalry in what was one of the final three games between
the two teams prior to the Browns’ three-year absence from the NFL.
That 1994 Divisional Playoff game was selected by Steelers fans as the
ninth-greatest game in Three Rivers Stadium history as part of the Steelers Last
Season at Three Rivers Stadium celebration. The ninth-greatest play was one of
John Stallworth’s many improbable catches during his career in a 1978 AFC
Playoff game versus the Denver Broncos.
1995 AFC
DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF
Pittsburgh 29, Cleveland
9
The game was played Jan. 7, 1995. The Steelers dominated the contest between
the two bitter rivals, 29-9, and defeated the Browns for the third time that
season.
Pittsburgh scored on its first three possessions on drives of 65, 53 and 74
yards for a 17-0 lead.
The Browns made it 17-3 with a 22-yard Matt Stover field goal late in the
first half. But, the Steelers manufactured one more scoring opportunity when Tim
McKyer intercepted Vinny Testaverde on the Cleveland 27 yard-line and returned
it to the six with 46 seconds remaining in the half, setting up another Steelers
score for a commanding 24-3 halftime lead.
In the second half, the Steelers added a 40-yard Anderson field goal in the
third quarter and a safety by Carnell Lake in the fourth quarter for the 29-9
final.
Cleveland, on the other hand, drove into Pittsburgh territory just three
times in 12 possessions. The Browns managed just one score in the second half, a
20-yard TD pass from Testeverde to Keenan McCardell.
The Steelers outgained Cleveland 424 yards to 186, 23 first downs to 10 and
had a 42:27 to 17:33 advantage in time of possession. The victory was
Pittsburgh’s first playoff win in five years.
John Stallworth's 45-yard TD reception
against Denver
There is a sports adage that says that great players make great plays in big
games. John Stallworth was unquestionably a great player for the Steelers, and
while he made many great catches throughout his career, it seemed some of his
best and most improbable receptions occurred in key games.
The ninth-greatest play as selected by Steelers fans is John Stallworth’s
45-yard TD reception from Terry Bradshaw in the 1978 AFC Playoff game versus the
Denver Broncos.
To set the scene: Leading 19-10 in the fourth quarter of the game, the
Steelers were faced with a second-and-eight at the Broncos 45-yard line. The
Steelers had been in command throughout much of the game but the Broncos
remained within reach. Stallworth’s catch, though, clinched the game. Stallworth
leaped over Broncos All-Pro cornerback Steve Foley and caught a Bradshaw pass as
he tumbled over the end line, one of many acrobatic catches Stallworth made
during his illustrious career.
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GAME NOTES: Each home game there will be three honorary game captains, who
played for the Steelers during their 31 seasons at Three Rivers. This week’s
captains are: running back Steve Avery (1994-95), linebacker Steve Fedell (1981)
and offensive lineman Craig Wolfley (1980-89).
